ETESCA Responds to Student Outcry Over Price Hike: Offers 12 GB for 720 CUP and Free Access to Educational Websites

In response to the widespread backlash against the new pricing policies implemented by the state-owned telecommunications company, ETESCA, on May 30, efforts are being made to address the criticisms, particularly among university students. During a broadcast on the Mesa Redonda program, ETESCA President Tania Velázquez Rodríguez announced measures aimed at mitigating the impact on students.

As part of this initiative, university students will have the opportunity to purchase an additional mobile data package of 6 GB, on top of the existing package available for 360 CUP through national top-ups. This means students can now access a total of 12 GB per month for a price of 720 CUP. This offer is available to students who are properly registered in ETESCA’s database, based on a consumption study involving over 60,000 university students, according to Velázquez.

The company has also revealed that more than 40 educational websites are now accessible free of charge, with ongoing collaboration with national organizations to expand this list. The goal is to facilitate student interaction on academic platforms without depleting their mobile data.

Concurrently, ETESCA is allocating data center resources to host scientific journals and strengthen virtual learning environments within universities. This involves relocating servers to infrastructures with reliable power backup, addressing a common issue in many institutions.

Background: The Price Hike that Sparked Outrage

On May 30, ETESCA imposed new restrictions that caused national discontent. As the sole telecommunications provider in Cuba, the company limited top-ups in Cuban Pesos (CUP) to a monthly maximum of 360 CUP, which barely covers a basic 6 GB package. Larger and combined packages are only available through payments in U.S. dollars (USD), via international cards or the MiTransfer Wallet.

The company defended the decision by citing the need to "maintain and develop the network," a justification reiterated during the recent Mesa Redonda broadcast. However, this explanation fails to convince a population accustomed to expensive and inadequate services.

Since the announcement, thousands have criticized the measure as a form of digital exclusion that disadvantages those without access to foreign currency. The public outcry was particularly strong on social media, where the policy was labeled a "digital price hike" that further marginalizes vulnerable groups, including students.

A symbolic turning point occurred when the Federation of University Students (FEU) and the Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI) publicly condemned the move on social media, arguing it poses a direct barrier to the academic and professional development of young people.

“The increase in data top-up costs beyond 6 GB is an obstacle that hinders the fulfillment of our educational and professional responsibilities,” stated a declaration signed by students from various faculties, including Communication, Philosophy and History, Mathematics and Computing, Chemistry, INTEC, and ISRI.

The FEU’s statement demanded an urgent review of the price hike and advocated for universal internet access as a right, not a privilege. This expression of dissent within official youth structures highlights the disconnect between the state’s narrative and the digital reality of a youth that requires internet access not just for education, but also for communication, information, and future planning.